Shattered

Chapter Twenty-Six: Normality

         I walked downstairs to the smell of coffee. Greene was in the kitchen cooking. He smiled and Dacey walked by him. I smiled and picked her up. "Gwace!" "Dacey!" I threw my free hand into the air making her laugh. I looked over and saw Daryl in the doorway with a smirk. I looked down embarrassed. I put Dacey down and sat on the counter. "We've got eggs and toast." "Thanks." "I need to go help Andrews with some things." He grabbed Dacey leaving Daryl and me alone. Daryl sat down at the table with me in silence. "Been a while since I've had coffee." "You're good with her you know. Dacey I mean." I stopped the cup at my lips and looked over at Daryl. "You are too. I have to get going but I'll see you later." I grabbed a bag and walked out of the house. 

         A few men were at the gate waiting for me when I got there. I put the bag on the truck and passed a weapon to everyone. We all got on top of the gate and I explained which trees needed to come down and how we'll handle any walkers. I hate to say it but they're not very experienced with walkers at all. I know I'll have my hands full. I got down and gave Andrews a slight nod. We all grabbed saws and axes. What I wouldn't give for a chainsaw. A few people were guards and the rest of us were cutting down trees. By noon we were on a break and hung around the town. "What have you got done?" "Two more trees to go and then we can start putting up the fence, clear it out and then get cleaning." He nodded and looked out at the town. "It's amazing how often you can forget there are other threats out there." Greene looked over and smiled slightly. I tried to smile back but I saw Andrews and Daryl talking privately about something. Whatever it was it made Daryl mad and he stormed off. I tossed the apple core into the trash and walked back outside the gate. I lit a cigarette and got some help with moving the tree out of the way. I heard yelling and looked over to see three men arguing. I hurried over and pushed them apart from each other just as a fist was thrown. I felt my knife get pulled and grabbed the man's wrist. I heard a gunshot and fell to the ground. I got back up and grabbed the guy who shot his gun. "You are one dumb son of a bitch aren't you? Everyone get the hell inside." I tossed him to the ground and he hurried inside.

          I lit a cigarette trying to ignore the pain in my arm and met Daryl at the gate. "Come on I'll get you to their doctor." "No. Let's just go back to the house. It just grazed me." I knew he wanted to argue but I started walking. I was the first through the door and went to the bathroom. I went to bandage my arm but Daryl took it instead. He seemed nervous being around me. When he finally let me leave I didn't go far. I made it to the living room before Daryl picked me up. "Where are we going?" "Don't know. Just wanted to be close to you." "I need a shower." We went upstairs and he finally put me down. I hurried into the bathroom and locked the door. "Grace!" "Sorry Daryl." I laughed and filled the tub. I lit a candle and sank down in the water. I just hoped I could get rid of some of the pain I was feeling. I closed my eyes and started thinking about everything that has happened these past few years. I missed everyone at the prison more than anything. Rick was raising Judith, watching Carl and leading the group. Hershel had one leg, Maggie and Glenn were engaged and who the hell knows what Carol is doing. Not to mention there's more people at the prison.

       A knock woke me up and I realized I was still in the tub. I blew out the candle and got out. I gave Daryl a small smile and got changed. I put my hair up and grabbed my gun. "Where are you going?" "Back to the prison. I can't focus with them there. What if something happens? What if-.." I started crying and he put his arms around me. "Everything is going to be fine." "No! Quit saying that! Im tired of hearing it! You don't know that Daryl.." I slammed the door and stomped my foot. I opened the door and crashed my lips to his. He was shocked but grabbed my hips. I wrapped my legs around him and pulled his as close as possible. There was a knock at the door making Daryl growl. I smiled at the familiar sound knowing he only did it with me. "I'll get it." "They'll leave." "Daryl.. It's Halloween." He put his hands on his face and sighed. I walked downstairs and opened the door. "Hey wanted to make sure you're still coming." "Uh yeah. I just have to uh.." I nodded and closed the door. I could hear him laughing from outside. Daryl came downstairs and I pushed him out. "Just go on. I'll meet you there." I went upstairs and got dressed.                                                                                                                                

         *Daryl*

           I opened a beer and sat next to the fire. I can't believe Grace left me out here with everyone. These aren't my kind of people. The women here think they're all that in their dresses and keep trying to hit on me. I thought it was obvious I'm with Grace. I don't like it at all. I heard someone whistle and I looked over to see a woman walking through the crowd in a black dress with her hair curled. If it wasn't for the leg I don't think I would've recognized her at all. She smiled down at her shoes and I lifted her head up to look at me. "I don't like it when you hide from me." "I ain't hiding from you Dixon." "You look beautiful Grace." "Thanks.." She smiled again and ran her hand down her dress. I wanted nothing more than to rip it off of her. She sat down and looked at the fire. I rubbed the back of my neck watching her. She's never had her hair down before unless its wet. Her scars were hidden by her dark hair. Her green eyes flashed up at me and looked back down. "You keep doing that your dress will be on the floor." She laughed and leaned against my arm. I just hoped no one was looking over here at us.

           *Grace*

          I couldn't help but love the attention I was getting from Daryl. He wasn't the only one wanting to ditch this place to go back to the house but I promised Andrews and Greene. "Gwace!" I turned around and Dacey came walking over with Greene behind her. "She keeps getting away from me." "Of course she is. She's a Dixon." I smiled at Daryl and helped Dacey up onto my lap. She pulled on one of my curls and laughed. I kissed her cheek and saw a flash. I jumped and saw Andrews with a camera. "Lacy develops them for special occasions." Daryl smiled and I kissed him real quick. Andrews got a picture and gave me a thumbs up. "You did that on purpose." "Maybe I did." I walked around with Dacey looking around at everything. "Cookie?" I picked her up and moved her to my hip. She picked out a cookie and smiled. I grabbed a muffin and continued to walk with her. Greene took her from me and told me Daryl needed to see me. I was curious about why he needed to talk to me. I found him near the fire still and he walked over to meet me. "Everything ok?" He looked down and I started to worry. "Daryl what's wrong?" He sighed and kept his eyes on the ground. He took a step back and got down on his knee. He took my hand and looked up at me. My heart stopped and I could only focus on Daryl. The fire lit up his face perfectly as he looked up at me with that terrified but confident look he had. I was shocked he was doing this in front of people. We don't even hold hands in front of anyone. 

        "I'm not going to say any of that traditional mushy shit because I know you ain't like that. I don't know how long we have but I know we'll go out fighting and I want to be by your side. I can't give you much but I'll always be here. Grace I guess what I'm trying to say is.. Will you marry me?"